News

With less than two weeks left before the Dec. 5 special election, state Senate candidates are ramping up their campaigns with visits from notable Democratic and Republican leaders in a final effort to win over voters.

Standing on the tired floorboards of a Whitney Street warehouse Saturday morning, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced to a gathering of campaign volunteers that she was supporting Democrat Sue Chalifoux Zephir as the next senator for the Worcester Middlesex District.

"When (Chalifoux Zephir) announced, she did what she's always done, and that's to get out and listen to people, to walk door to door to talk to people, listen to people, and be ready to act on people's behalf," Healey said.

"People want action, they need action in this district, and across the state, and Sue is about action and that's why I'm supporting her so strongly."

Healey's visit to Leominster kicked off a large door-knocking effort for Chalifoux Zephir's campaign Monday, however she's only one of several notable elected officials to be making their way through the district recently.

Chalifoux Zephir has already been visited by state Treasurer Deb Goldberg and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

She also has a campaign event with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas planned in Gardner for Monday.

Apart from well-known party members, the last two weeks of the campaign are also attracting Democrats and Republicans from various committees and organizations from across the state.

Though she does not live in the district Chalifoux Zephir is running in, Michelle Keane, who chairs the Greater Worcester chapter of Our Revolution, came out in support of Chalifoux Zephir on Saturday.

"We want to support progressives and I want to make sure that people in power reflect the communities they serve," she said.

David LeBeuf, a Worcester Democratic City Committee member considering a state representative run in the 17th Worcester District next year, said he was also volunteering for Chalifoux Zephir.

"Sue has a great background, especially with her community service work. We recognize that every seat is integral in passing legislation we need to bring resources back to our communities," he said.

"Having an advocate like Sue is something we have an interest in."

The event also attracted people like Brendan Hakala, a Leominster voter volunteering for one of Chalifoux Zephir's campaigns for the first time.

"The response we've been getting is really positive. I think people are definitely committed to trying to move this district in a new direction and also trying to continue some of the work that's been done in the past," he said.